Coyle has refused to reveal the identity of the forward, but Keane looks the most likely candidate after enduring a series of injuries of late and is in need of regular game time.

The Latics have already used United to improve their attack by bringing in Nick Powell, but are still in need of a consistent goalscorer as their luck in the final third continues to go against them.

Keane, 20, is a product of Old Trafford's famed academy system and has scored seven times for England at youth level, but is set to make a step up to shoulder some of the responsibility of both Championship and Europa League football if he is to join Wigan.

Coyle looking to fix goalscoring problem for Wigan [GETTY]

“It's a young player who is an exciting player, a striker who I've watched for a number of years and I'm a huge admirer of.”

Owen Coyle

Coyle told the Evening Post: "Everything is agreed in principle, verbally, but until we get that signed, I'm very reluctant to give any name.

"I'm always reluctant until everything is concluded to commit myself, but we are very close to getting that concluded - I am very hopeful of that.

"It's a young player who is an exciting player, a striker who I've watched for a number of years and I'm a huge admirer of.

"It will certainly add to the squad, we want to make sure that we have a squad that will cope with the demands of the set of fixtures that are in front of us."